Five Ingredients or Less, a Dinner Time Round-up of easy recipes from scratch!

As morning turns to evening, dinner must be made. I know around here there is always more to do, than the time to do it! But I learned a long time ago, don't skimp on dinner. Take the time to cook, eat, and get caught up with each other, to end the day. And why I gathered together our best, Five Ingredients or Less, a Dinner Time Round-up of easy recipes! 

Let's just get started! Because dinner is waiting! You will find the following recipe categories, Main Dish, Sauces and Condiments, Salads, Vegetables and Side Dishes, and even Desserts! Dinner need never be difficult again...

Main Dish Recipes: 

It won't surprise you to see that chicken reigns supreme as the choice for a quick and easy dinner. But you will also notice recipes for beef, seafood and pork as well. 

Pickle Chicken. What makes Pickle Chicken such a great choice, is that you can have someone else work the grill while the rest of dinner is completed in the kitchen, effectively cutting your work in half...

Sweet Lime and Curry Chicken Thighs. This oven baked dish, leaves you free to get the rest of the meal taken care of without interruption!

Clams in Chorizo Broth. Easy, delicious and spicy. Don't forget some crusty bread to dip into the finished broth!

Three Ingredient Pineapple Thai Chicken. Another great oven dinner to offer the family!

Chicken Baked with Peaches, Thyme and Dijon. Subtle flavors from the peaches and Dijon do not overpower the chicken.

 

Easy to Make Shredded Beef. This platter of tender shredded beef is quickly turned into BBQ Beef for sandwiches, or Shredded Beef Tacos, Burritos or anything else your own creative imagination comes up with!

Curry Maple Dijon Chicken. This one is Sunday Dinner delicious! But the family will enjoy it just as much, and it is easy enough for any weeknight. 

 

Chicken or Pork Chops and Vegetables Skillet Meal. Pick your favorite, pork chop or chicken. Either way, this is a delicious and light meal. 

Grapefruit and Rosemary Grilled Chicken. Another grilled favorite, to share in the cooking, and of course in the eating!

Sauerkraut and Kielbasa. Just toss this one in the slow cooker and go about your day! Dinner will be waiting for you... 

Three Ingredient Tuna and Cheese Patties! Honestly I was surprised just how much I enjoyed these the first time I made them! They also make a great tuna burger on a bun!

Sauces and Condiments:

After the main dish I think the most important next step is selecting sauces and other condiments to make the most of each meal enjoyed with family. 

Grab a Jar of Jam Marinade and Grill Sauce.  So easy and so good! Choose your favorite flavor of jam and enjoy the fun of grilling!

Tomato Serendipity. Enjoy this easy sprinkle over pasta, vegetables or anywhere you would enjoy the flavors of tomato and Parmesan Cheese!

Easy Red Wine Marinade. Sometimes only grilled meat will do! Start the night before with this easy and delicious marinade. 

Marcella Hazen's Tomato Sauce with Onion and Butter. This will be your new go to for red sauce!

Salads: 

How about a second salad to go along with those tossed greens? All of these are bright and flavorful, just the ticket to round out any meal. 

Avocado Caprese Salad.  Zesty and delicious! We love the textures of the soft mozzarella cheese with the creamy avocado. 

Simple Carrot Salad.  This could almost be called an instant salad. Plus it is one the kids can help with. 

Watermelon with Mint and Feta.  Watermelon might not seem like a salad ingredient, but this will quickly become your new favorite. 

Cottage Apple Salad.  Quick to put together and everyone enjoys this!

Simple 3 Ingredient Beet Salad.  Don't let the beets stop you, this is delicious!

Grape and Banana Fruit Medley.  There is a reason vintage recipes never go out of style, they truly are classics!

Side dishes and Vegetables: 

From potatoes to gnocchi and on to Brussels Sprouts, these are all easy, calling for easily available ingredients and taste great. 

Stovetop Brussels Sprouts with Parmesan and Garlic. This stovetop version couldn't be any easier or delicious!

Butter and Cinnamon Glazed Carrots. Carrots tend to be a forgotten vegetable, but this recipe will change all that!

Dusty Potatoes.  I have never met a potato recipe I did not like, and this one is no exception!

Zucchini with Tomatoes and Black Olives.  This trio will be on our mind to make again and again when you have fresh zucchini to enjoy!

Easy Baked Mushrooms with Thyme and Garlic.  For the mushroom lovers out there! PS, the leftovers are great to have on hand...

Whole Wheat Ricotta Gnocchi.  Made ahead and kept in the freezer until needed for dinner! A quick cooking time (just like pasta) is all it takes to have these tender gnocchi for dinner. 

Cabbage New Potato and Onion Skillet.   Another delicious potato favorite!

Laurie's Super Easy Corn Casserole. This just happens to be a favorite of all the men folk I know!

Skillet Braised Sweet Potatoes and Peas. Surprise! This is sweet potatoes and peas, and they are great together!

Fried Mashed Potatoes.  And saved for last, my Grandmother's Fried Mashed Potatoes. The perfect recipe for leftover mashed potatoes!

And how about a little Dessert?

We usually have a simple dessert on weeknights, and often, none at all. But a fruit dessert is always appreciated since it adds to the nutrition of the meal. However we also love a bar cookie on the side!

Maple and Butter Baked Apples. You won't believe just how delicious these baked apples are!

Creamy Banana and Kiwi Parfaits.  No refined sugar here, just fruit and yogurt. 

Honey Vanilla Custard.  We love custards! This one is made with honey, for a no refined sugar dessert.  

Sweet and Salty Cashew Blondies.  Let these golden beauties cool to room temperature before eating, so the cashews call back their crunch!

Kiwi with Sour Cream and Brown Sugar Dessert Plate.  The flavors of sour cream and brown sugar are perfect with fruit, especially kiwi!

Maple Custard.  This Maple Custard is so delicious it has become our favorite!

Three Ingredient Nutella Brownies.  With all the talk of no refined sugar desserts, I offered this one to prove we are NOT above a little sugar every now and again...

Dessert Apple Slices.  As delicious as pie, with none of the work of a crust!

Easy Peach Compote, fruit for dessert is always a good choice, and this is more than easy, it is also delicious!

And this one for kids of ALL ages! Root Beer Float Punchbowl...

I hope you enjoy this round-up, especially on the busy days and still need to get a family meal on the table! I turn to these recipes time and time again, because they are all delicious, frugal and can be made from a well stocked pantry. 

UPDATED: 06.10.2025

You may also enjoy: 

5 Ingredient Banana Bread. 

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